Ukrainian Military Likely to Get U.S. Medical Kits, Coats

White House Had Been Reluctant to Provide Nonlethal Gear to Ukraine

WASHINGTON—After a month of internal deliberations, the Obama administration is close to authorizing a limited shipment of nonlethal supplies to Ukrainian forces, including medicine and clothes, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

The White House has, so far, been reluctant to provide even nonlethal gear to Ukraine's underequipped and outnumbered armed forces to aid them in their standoff with Russian troops across the border.